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About Brandon Caldwell

Brandon Caldwell is a staff writer and journalist at theGrio.com, where he contributes his expertise in music and pop culture. With a career spanning over a decade, Brandon has established himself as a prominent voice in music journalism, previously serving on the Audience Engagement team at ESPN and as the Online Editor for Radio One Houston.

His extensive editorial background includes serving as the editor-in-chief of Day & A Dream.com. Under his leadership, the site grew from a grassroots project started in 2009 to a significant cultural platform, amassing over 3 million unique views while providing a launchpad for up-and-coming freelance and music journalists in the Houston area.

Brandon's reporting and commentary have appeared in a wide array of prestigious publications, including Pitchfork, Billboard, Texas Monthly, and Complex. A member of The Recording Academy, he has provided on-the-ground coverage for major industry events such as the ESSENCE Festival, South By Southwest (SXSW), and Atlanta’s A3C Hip-Hop Festival.
Areas of Expertise

Music Journalism
Hip-Hop Culture
Pop Culture Analysis
Live Festival Coverage
Audience Engagement

Professional Experience

Staff Writer and Journalist — theGrio.com (Present)
Audience Engagement Team — ESPN
Online Editor — Radio One Houston
Editor-in-Chief — Day & A Dream.com (2009–2018)

Education or Background
A native of Missouri City, Texas, Brandon currently resides in Arcola, Texas. His work is deeply rooted in an understanding of 21st-century media and a commitment to creative storytelling within the music scene.

All Articles

Ben Crump, Erika McGriff
October 15, 2025
Attorney Ben Crump called the viral arrest of Jacksonville woman Erika McGruff another episode of "excessive force" toward Black people.
NBC News, Layoffs
October 15, 2025
150 NBC News employees were laid off on Wednesday (Oct. 15) with major cuts to NBC BLK, NBC Asian America,…
Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z
October 15, 2025
Amid her crusade against Jay-Z and Roc Nation for a number of reasons, Nicki Minaj is apparently putting her new…
Samsung Supper Club With D'Angelo At SXSW 2015
October 15, 2025
Imani Archer, the daughter of late R&B legend D’Angelo, honors her father on Instagram with a touching tribute.
2024 NAACP Theatre Awards
October 15, 2025
“Family Matters” star Darius McCrary says arrest over unpaid child support is a “misunderstanding,” claiming he never received court notice.
Dawn Staley
October 14, 2025
After interviewing for the New York Knicks job, Hall of Famer Dawn Staley gets blunt about the chance of the…
Amy Robach, TJ Holmes
October 14, 2025
Three years after their 'GMA3' scandal, former co-anchors Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes reveal on their podcast they're headed down…
October 14, 2025
The ’Real Housewives of Potomac’ star faces 16 charges, including seven felonies related to an bulgary she reported at her…
Miguel, Miguel kids, Miguel baby, Miguel son, does miguel have kids?, Does Miguel have a child?, theGrio.com
October 14, 2025
Miguel welcomed his son Angelito in 2024 and after fan backlash and speculation, is defending the move and his reputation.
Hayley Williams
October 13, 2025
Hayley Williams discusses Paramore's diverse fan base, why Black fans gravitate toward the band, and how Stevie Wonder inspired her.
U.S. Naval Academy, Kyle Philbert James,
October 13, 2025
Kyle Philbert James' remains were found near the Academy and officials say his death is currently under investigation.
thegrio, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, The View
October 13, 2025
Kamala Harris reveals she called Joe Biden Sunday about his cancer update and offered prayers for the former POTUS.
Questlove, SNL musical performances, Questlove SNL documentary, SNL music documentary, Questlove music documentary, theGrio.com
October 13, 2025
The documentary about the legendary band is the first since 2001’s Shining Stars: The Official Story of Earth, Wind &…
Meagan Good, Jonathan Majors, Tamron Hall, theGrio.com
October 13, 2025
During his appearance on Kirk Franklin's 'Den of Kings' podcast, Jonathan Majors revealed his thoughts about suicidal ideation.
Mo'Nique, Mo'Nique Tyler Perry, What happened between m'onique and tyler perry, Tyler perry angie stone eulogy, theGrio.com
October 12, 2025
Mo'Nique is ensuring the next generation focuses on health, not weight loss with her brand new health journey, 'Mo'Nique's Movement'.
D.C. Lottery winner
October 11, 2025
A 70-year-old Howard University graduate made sure her history lottery win would be remembered in style with a one-of-a-kind outfit.
Meagan Good, DeVon Franklin, Jonathan Majors, Black celebrity relationships, Black celebrity divorces, Black celebrity breakups, theGrio.com
October 11, 2025
DeVon Franklin admits he needed to heal after his divorced from actress Meagan Good, admitting he lived in a Hollywood…
Barack Obama
October 11, 2025
Ms. Rachel, the famed early learning content creator, has strong words for Barack Obama after reading the President's statement on…
A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces
October 11, 2025
A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces capped a historic midseason turnaround with their third WNBA title on Friday night.
Darius McCray red carpet
October 11, 2025
Darius McCrary was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico Border on Oct. 5 due to an outstanding warrant in Michigan for failure…